Last week I said that I have a new direction and focus for my business.  The opportunities for photographing families, children, seniors, babies and even a wedding also helped me to decide what I really LIKE to do.  I didn't have a bad day on the job, but some days made me more giddy than others.  As I reviewed portraits and reflected on sessions this past year, it didn't take long to understand.  I love families and seniors!!! 

We'll talk about families at another time because today I want to share my passion for seniors!  In a life I lived before children, I coached HS cheerleading, taught 12th grade English and advised the yearbook.  And, I adored "my kids"!  It was so exciting to watch them play out the tug-of-war between the kids they had always been and the adults they were becoming.  Their junior and senior years were filled with frustration, elation, anger, joy, angst and love.  And I loved being along for the ride: as a pseudo-parent, a mentor, a friend, a confidant or a swift kick in the butt.  And, in the last year, as I have gotten them in front of my camera I am remembering all over again why they are such a special group and why this is such an important and magical time in their lives!

I am absolutely thrilled to say that I will be focusing my business in 2 areas of photography, and SENIORS are the first!  Listen up class of 2013 and 2014:

So, why hire me for your senior portraits?  I know.  Your high school has conveniently arranged for photographers to come in to your school for 1 or 2 days in July or August.  And, they will have clothes there for you to wear!  They have chosen your backdrops, your poses and your yearbook image. Fantastic!  Truly!  Go and let them take your picture.  Many schools require the drape/tux photo for the yearbook (I did when I was the yearbook adviser!).  And, grandmas and grandpas always have room on their walls for the last school photo you'll ever have taken:)  There is absolutely a place for those pictures.

But, then I want you to ask yourself if those pictures are "you."  Do they really look like you?  Did they capture your personality?  Your REAL smile?  Your style?  Chances are the answer to all, or most, of those questions is "no."  That's what I will do for you.  I will capture all of those things in a custom portrait session.

Check out this infographic which shows why custom portraits are such a good idea:

Thanks to www.seniorologie.com for use of the infographic!

Custom senior portraits will always be unique - even if the same photographer takes yours, and all of your friends'!  That's because custom senior portraits are designed just for you!  Your outfits, location, weather and printed images will not be the same as anyone else.  They will be a celebration of you!  In the next couple of weeks I'll be highlighting each of the 4 categories, 1 post at a time, with portrait examples.  Stay tuned for those as you plan your custom senior portrait session! We'll have so much fun!